The “Why You?” Initiative [YU?] is a hybrid longitudinal support system that engages with students via an online platform supplemented by traditional face-to-face interactions. We serve high school students, post-high school students, undergraduate students, graduate/professional students and recent young professionals.

Re-engineering what it means to be a mentor & be mentored.

Over 150 students and young professionals have been impacted by our Longitudinal Centralized Support System (LcSS) model. This holistic model includes strategic mentoring, dedicated resources, specialized preparation, flexible approaches, iterative processes and culturally sensitive engagement. Many students are not able to benefit from such a robust system, join us in changing a life, building a smile.

Story About Us

The “Why You?” Initiative, Inc., founded by Drs. Renaldo C. Blocker and Antonio M. Daniels, is a growing national nonprofit organization established in 2011 to eradicate barriers to students and young professionals’ success by effectively delivering longitudinal support via a fusion of technological and traditional mediums.

The organization, with its corporate headquarters in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, provides comprehensive mentoring, academic, social, emotional, and professional support and development services and programs for high school, post high school, undergraduate, graduate/professional students, and young professionals in 17 states.

We pride ourselves on inspiring and assisting high school students and young adults in our communities to attend a graduate/professional school, 4-year college, technical school and/or public service academy (i.e. police, fire or paramedic) to gain the teleological acumen and prowess necessary to contribute affirmatively to society.

[YU?] is collaboratively building a genuine national network that truly benefit our students and young professionals.

373

Students Impacted

17

States Impacted

25

Total Volunteers

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Become a [YU?] Student and/or Young Professional

We just don’t encourage you; we develop a plan to make you successful

Your boundless future starts here. Join a network of students, professionals, mentors and volunteers who all share one commitment: making a difference in your life. Along the way, you’ll gain knowledge, experiences, and friendships that last a lifetime. Please note that our admission process is very competitive, we only select those students that want to be helped.

The Five Core Programs that are essential to the Longitudinal Centralized Support System.

1

High School Students

This program serves students attending an accredited high school. Students much be in 9th grade-12th grade.

2

Post-High School Individuals

This program serves individuals who graduated from high school and/or pursuing a GED. In addition, students interested in public service academy, military or vocational/technical school.

3

Undergraduate Students

This program serves students attending a 2-year or 4-year accredited university.

4

Graduate & Professional School Students

This program serves students pursuing a Masters, MBA, MFA, J.D., M.D., Ed.D, Ph.D and etc.

5

Young Professionals

This programs serves young professionals in their early career stages that needs help navigating the workforce.

Some of the success stories

[YU?] Student Receives UNCF/Koch $20,000 Koch Scholarship

Mr. Tizon Matthews, a sophomore at Tougaloo College (Jackson, MS), received the $20,000 United Negro College Koch Scholarship on August 23, 2018. Mr. Matthews had been applying for many scholarships throughout his first year of college and this is the results of his perseverance. We congratulate Tizon on his scholarship. The UNCF/Koch scholarship not only provides funds, but offers mentorship, academic and professional support and networking opportunities to talented undergraduate African American students. As part of the UNCF Koch Scholars Program, students explore how entrepreneurship can improve well-being for individuals, communities and society as a whole. Tizon is a 2017 graduate of Harding Senior High School (St. Paul, MN)

[YU?] Student first internship at the world renowned Mayo Clinic

Mr. Nawang Singhe, a senor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in Industrial and Systems Engineering, successfully completed his first summer internship as an undergraduate at Mayo Clinic on August 10, 2018. Mr. Singhe had been applying for numerous internships and we finally landed a position at the #1 ranked hospital according to U.S. News & World Report. Mr. Singhe plans to enroll in a PhD program in Industrial and Systems Engineering after graduating from University of Wisconsin-Madison in May 2019. Nawang is a native of Minneapolis, MN.

Our Most Trusted Collaborators

Making someone smile is the mostbeautiful thing in this world

Latest news from our blog

Want to discover more about us and what we do? Our news section is dedicated to delivering the latest [YU?] stories to you. Whether you’re a supporter or a curious member of the public, we’d love to share our latest stories and initiatives with you. Read about it here!